Best Things to Know Before Booking a Mediterranean Cruise, Travel Tips
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Days are hot and nights are still balmy, if a little cooler than in August. Expect highs of around 82°F (28°C) in Malta and 77°F (25°C) in Nice, tapering off as the month progresses. Even urban destinations like Barcelona, Nice, and Athens have fantastic beaches nearby.
Beach Vacation in February
To avoid crowds in port, try not to cruise during the Panamanian festivals that take place in early spring and from November into the winter. These festivals can also affect the opening of attractions, restaurants, banks and other venues you might want to visit ashore. Fares for seven-night cruises in May 2024 are as low as $499 per person on an MSC cruise sailing round-trip from Miami and even less expensive at $399 per person come September. January is the beginning of the dry season, so the humidity is lower, and the temperatures are in the 70s and 80s.
Mediterranean Cruises 101
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and is known for its beautiful Roman architecture, including Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and take in some of Split’s best sights, such as the Port of Split and Marjan Hill. Discover Crete’s stunning landscapes, legendary beaches, and impressive archaeological sites.
European Cruise Destinations
Travelers will encounter stunning beaches, remarkable landmarks of architecture and history, picturesque small towns, and thriving metropolises. Across the board, from mainstream to luxury, Mediterranean cruise fares peak in June, July and August. Prices for big-ship cruises varied by as much as $60 per person per night between spring sailings and summer. On luxury lines like Silversea, spring cruise fares were hundreds of dollars cheaper per person per night compared to summer fares. Mediterranean cruises typically last between five and 14 nights, and with countless ports to choose from in close proximity, one can expect destination-intensive itineraries, with not too many days spent at sea. On a typical one-week sailing, cruisers can expect to effortlessly experience three or four countries in a single trip.
Late June through mid-August are the busiest times to cruise to the Mediterranean. During the peak of summer, families with children are common onboard as well, as a mid-summer cruise fits well in the school summer vacation schedule. It's a good idea to book your Mediterranean cruise early, even nine to 12 months in advance. You can take advantage of early booking discounts and promotions and have the widest selection of available cabins and suites and dining times (if applicable). An early booking is ideal if you're planning on using miles to book your flights or points for a pre-cruise hotel.
8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages Deck, Sun, Cocktails, and... Peace & Quiet! - TravelAwaits
8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages Deck, Sun, Cocktails, and... Peace & Quiet!.
Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
From February onward, the number of visitors swells, as U.S., European and Canadian residents flee the cold. In March and April, spring break revelers descend on destinations like the Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. But if your version of fun is a little more mature, opt for the November through January time frame. Almost any time of year is a good time to sail to the Caribbean or Bahamas, with year-round sunny skies, warm temperatures and glistening turquoise blue waters. If you want to travel to Alaska a little earlier in the season in April, the weather is cool but pleasant, and the nights are still long enough that you may be able to catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
If you prefer to travel in the fall, you can still find a good deal on the same itinerary for $848 per person in September. Since you'll have the greatest choice of ships midsummer, you might luck out and find a one-off deal if you can be flexible about ship and sail date. July is the height of peak season, with the warmest weather of the year and long daylight hours. It's also the best month for wildlife viewing, especially for humpback whales, brown and black bears and migrating shorebirds and puffins. However, you should know that you'll have to deal with pesky mosquitos in late June and July, especially in the interior part of the state. The best time of year to visit is typically when warm, sunny days are plentiful and rain is scarce.
Not covered are tips, alcoholic beverages, soda, special dining venues, and shore excursions. Most ships have alternative dining venues, and service charges can range from $10 to $20 (and counting) on most mass-market cruise lines. Leave room in your budget for shipboard expenses, because those extra costs – like paying for espresso with dinner, or a service charge for pizza delivery to your stateroom – can quickly add up.
A Traveler’s Guide: Best Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun
The numbers are lower than Santorini — but then, Venice has a far more complicated crowd control scenario. You might think the best time to cruise the Mediterranean would be summer because that's when the most ships are cruising in Europe. While the temperatures and Mediterranean waters cool, plenty of fun activities can be enjoyed on Mediterranean cruises in the fall.
You might be able to find cheaper cruises on older ships or in less desirable cabin categories, especially if an abundance of ships sails to your preferred destination. Mediterranean Cruises in Summer School is out, which makes summer the best time to cruise the Mediterranean for families with tight schedules. Temperatures in Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia will be in the 90s, but the tranquil ocean waters invite a cool off. August is a popular vacation time for locals in Rome and there may be some closed shops and attractions. As you might expect, there are fewer Mediterranean cruise options in the winter months. If there are specific "must-visit" ports on your list, a peak season cruise might be a better option.
While the summer months are the busiest, with large influxes of tourists and crowds, the refreshing sea breeze and the vibrant and bustling atmosphere make for an unforgettable experience. In some cases, heat waves and low rainfall can cause European rivers to be too low for ships to sail. Additionally, depending on where you're sailing, July and August may mean some local cafes and restaurants are closed for summer holidays. May and September can also be great times to cruise Alaska if you'd like to save a little money. Whale watching is good in both months, as gray and humpback whales migrate to and from the state. Other wildlife will also start to emerge from their winter slumbers in May or be in the middle of mating season in September.
The Med, as it's known, is a year-round destination, with seasonal wine festivals and bustling holiday markets. What time of year you're looking to sail depends on if you want to soak up the coastal sun or save a little money and avoid the crowds in the process. The days are at their longest, the weather is fine, and the sea is warming up for swimming. Yours might include traveling while school is out or maximizing time at the beach. Perhaps you are loyal to one particular cruise line or have your heart set on cruising on a newly launched ship.
• Mainstream The typical mainstream cruise ship carries anywhere from 2,000 to more than 6,000 passengers and features a wealth of onboard activities to keep passengers entertained at sea. Itineraries tend to be largely cookie-cutter, with ships calling on the largest and most popular ports of call. Families will appreciate the kid-friendly appeal and budget price tag − with interior cabins ranging from $600 to $1,100 per person for a 7-night cruise. Special promotions and sales can bring the cruise fare down even lower; keep in mind that brand-new, buzz-generating mega-ships will be priced higher than older, time-honored vessels. When considering a Mediterranean cruise, you'll find that it offers not only a rich cultural experience but also abundant wildlife encounters. In these waters, you can observe a diverse range of marine species, including swordfish, tuna, dolphins, and even some white sharks.
The best time to cruise to the Caribbean without all the tourists is typically in late fall and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. You can also avoid the crowds in late April and early May after the spring break rush but before school lets out and summer vacations begin. The official Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 to Nov. 30, falls within shoulder season, so you may need to weigh low prices with the risk of a storm affecting your trip. Also, some fares in the summer months can be higher with many families taking vacations. Prices for similar cruises with MSC between June and August range from $649 to $799. Mediterranean cruises typically depart anywhere from Atlantic-facing Lisbon, Portugal, to the west to Istanbul, Turkey, to the east, with literally hundreds of ports (some points of embarkation) in between.
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